Configurable plug to stop or slow the flow of a fluid or gas or flowable material either inward or outward through an opening

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present invention are directed to a tapered plug. The plug has a bottom base having a geometrical shape. In some embodiments the base has a well-defined geometrical shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, and the like. In other embodiments, the shape of the base is not a regular, well-defined shape. In some embodiments, the plug comes to a point at the top, with a shape analogous to a cone, while in other embodiments, the top of the plug is flat. In some embodiments, the plug has a smooth or nearly smooth surface, made of an easily compressible or semi-compressible material. It is for use in stopping or slowing the flow of a fluid or gas or other flowable material through an opening that the plug is inserted into.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 61/672,694filed Jul. 17, 2012, the contents all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of plugs, and in particular, inthe field of configurable plugs to stop or slow the flow of a fluid orgas or flowable material either inward or outward through an opening.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed to a tapered (andadditional shapes as later described) plug. The plug has a bottom basehaving a geometrical shape. In some embodiments the base has awell-defined geometrical shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, atriangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, and the like. In otherembodiments, the shape of the base is not a regular, well-defined shape.In some embodiments, the plug comes to a point at the top, with a shapeanalogous to a cone or an Egyptian pyramid, while in other embodiments,the top of the plug is flat, with a shape analogous to a Mayan pyramid.In some embodiments, the plug has a smooth or nearly smooth surface,made of an easily compressible or semi-compressible material. It is foruse in stopping or slowing the flow of a fluid or gas or other flowablematerial (such as but not limited to a powder) through an opening(either coming in or going out, for example, with reference to aninterior of a vessel, through an opening as the case may be) that theplug is inserted into.

In some embodiments the plug is made of a compressible material such asfoam (either open or closed cell) of a certain density andcompressibility and slow to fast rebound rate, or a pliable materialsuch as a plastic (or multi-layered plastic filled with a softermaterial or fluid) or a semi-compressible material such as rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1: Shows the 3-segmented plug, side and top view. The cone definingthe plug's outer shape in some embodiments has an apex angle of 90degrees, in other embodiments as little as 1 degree, and between thesetwo extremes (as shown in this FIG. 1) in still other embodiments. Theplug in some embodiments is pointed and in other embodiments istruncated and in still other embodiments is blunt-tipped despite how itis depicted in this and other figures. Note that in some embodiments theapex of the cone is narrow and the base angle (angle of the sidecompared to the plane of the base) approaches 90 degrees and the degreeof truncation such that the truncated top of the plug is very close tothe same diameter as the base of the plug. Though this and other figuresshow an embodiment of a right circular cone (where right means that theaxis passes through the centre of the base suitably defined at rightangles to its plane, and circular means that the base is a circle) witha circular cross-section, other embodiments utilize an ellipse, atriangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, and the like as theircross-sections, and still other embodiments use an oblique cone (inwhich the axis does not pass perpendicularly through the centre of thebase) and other embodiments have sides that are not straight but arecurved outward when viewed in cross-section and curved inward in stillother embodiments. Other embodiments of the plug are wedge-shaped withan edge rather than a point at the top similar to an axe head. The topedge is sharp in some embodiments and flat or rounded in otherembodiments.

FIG. 2: Shows the plug comprising multiple ridges most of them beingsomewhat concentric.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b: Cross-sectional views of the stepped rings or ridgesof the plug. The rings or ridges have angular well-defined edges (suchas a single edge, and also a flat edge presented by square, rectangular,and polygonal cross-section ridges) in some embodiments as shown inthese figures and in other embodiments have rounded edges (such ascircular, elliptical, and parabolic ridges, and the like.) Similarly theintervening valleys/channels have angular bottoms (such as a v-shapedbottom, and also a flat bottom presented by a square, rectangular, andpolygonal in cross-section valley/channel) in some embodiments as shownin this figure and have rounded bottoms (such as circular, elliptical,parabolic, and the like) in other embodiments.

FIG. 4: Cross-sectional view, magnified of the plug. Plug in someembodiments is pointed and in other embodiments is truncated and instill other embodiments is blunt-tipped despite how it is drawn here.

FIG. 5: Side view of broken and/or alternated ridges of the plug.

FIG. 6: Side and top view of the surface of the plug with a spiked orbumped design.

FIG. 7: Cross-sectional view of the plug indicating a punt or depressionadded to the bottom.

FIG. 8: Cross-sectional view of the plug with the addition of anoptional base flange.

FIG. 9: View of the plug with a lanyard in the center of the base. Theaddition of a base flange is optional.

FIG. 10: Side view of the plug the an elliptical cylinder where thesides are parallel and the top and bottom edge diameters are square andin another embodiment are rounded. A cylinder is simply a cone whoseapex is at infinity. Intuitively, if one keeps the base fixed and takesthe limit as the apex goes to infinity, one obtains a cylinder, theangle of the side increasing, in the limit forming a right angle. Insome embodiments the base has a well-defined geometrical shape, such asa circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, andthe like despite how it is depicted in this and other figures. In otherembodiments, the shape of the base is not a regular, well-defined shape.

FIG. 11: Side and top view of the plug with a widened and flattened headthat is compressed or folded, either by hand or with the aid of a tooland inserted into or through an opening. Figure is not necessarilyproportional and head portion in some embodiments is limited to a narrowheight and in other embodiments is expanded to encompass a majority ofthe height of the entire plug.

FIG. 12: Side and top view of the plug with a conical hollow head thatis compressed or folded when needed and inserted into or through anopening. Figure is not necessarily proportional and head portion in someembodiments is limited to a narrow height and in other embodiments isexpanded to encompass a majority of the height of the entire plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The basic material and manufacturing method of some embodiments of theplug disclosed herein are very similar to those described in the U.S.patent application entitled “Emergency Repair Plug To Slow Down WaterInflow Through An Opening” (US Patent Application No: 2010/0132,605, therelevant sections of which, directed to the manufacture and materials,are incorporated by reference herein. However there are substantialdifferences disclosed below including sectioning elements,configurability, surface geometry, surface coating, different geometriesfor the base, different geometries for the tip or head of the plug,different sizes, and different materials.

The plug is segmented longitudinally (parallel to the central axis) intotwo to eight sections or more (in some ways similar to an orange or abanana.) See FIG. 1. Although the figure shows a 3-segmented plug, theskilled artisan will know that the plug can have many different segmentsand that the disclosure is not limited to the single embodiment shown inthe figure. The skilled artisan will also know that the plug can be ofconsiderably different sizes ranging from under six inches (6″) inheight and under one inch (1″) in base diameter to over three feet (3′)in height and over two feet (2′) in base diameter and that thedisclosure is not limited to a specific size.

The segmentation is achieved by sectioning elements including grooves orchannels (molded into the plug as it is created), slices (eithercontinuous or in a broken series, cut in after molding), or a series ofperforations (molded in or cut in). In some embodiments the grooves orchannels are produced by raised elements such as fins or vanesprotruding into the interior surface of the plug molds. As the plugmaterial sets within the mold these elements leave behind an impressionon the plug surface and deeper into the interior of the molded plugequal to the dimensions of these fins or vanes. In other embodimentsslices are cut on the surface and as deep into the plug as desired afterthe plug is removed from the mold. These slices are in continuous or inbroken series, and are cut in after molding by means of a conventionalknife under pressure, rotary blades, or stamping blades entering theplug either longitudinally or laterally from the side. In someembodiments the sectioning elements are single or a series ofperforations. These are molded in by means of pins or posts protrudinginto the interior surface of the plug molds. In other embodiments theperforations are punched into the surface and as deep into the plug asdesired after the plug is removed from the mold. These perforations arein continuous or broken series, and are punched in after molding bymeans of needles or teeth under pressure, rotary drills, or multiplesmall blades entering the plug either longitudinally or laterally fromthe side. The skilled artisan will know that there are many differentmethods to producing these sectioning elements and that the disclosureis not limited to the several embodiments explained above. In someembodiments, the plug is first manufactured in the form of the slices,but then the slices are attached together by means of a fasteningdevice, such as glue, pins, etc., to form the plug.

These sectioning elements create intentional weak points in the plugmaterial that facilitate separation and tearing along selecteddimensions. In some embodiments, a tear is started at a single point ofa sectioning element and then further separation and tearing is directedby the groove/channel/cut/perforation. In other embodiments, a tear isstarted at one end of the plug by pulling in opposite directions acrossthe end of the sectioning element. In still other embodiments, a tear isstarted at the midpoint or at any point along thegroove/channel/cut/perforation by forcing a finger or tool into thesectioning element, and even by pulling in opposite directions acrossthe midpoint, and then continuing this tear in the direction facilitatedby the groove/channel/cut/perforation. In some embodiments thesesectioning elements are grooves or channels, from 1/16″ deep from theouter surface of the plug to the entire depth of the material asmeasured from the surface to the central axis, and all the way past thecentral axis in the case of perforations. In addition to directing thetearing and separation at the outer surface of the plug, thesegrooves/channels also allow this to occur in three dimensions within theouter surface of the plug, conceptually similar to how the structure ofan orange allows it to be segmented in half or in thirds or into manysections. This segmentation allows easier, faster, and more precisetearing of the plug(s) without tools into sections and allows the userto fashion the plug(s) into better shapes for stopping the flow throughthe particular opening they encounter. For example the shape of a singleplug is readily altered by removing section(s) and thereby reducing theplug's girth or diameter and allowing it to fit better into an opening.In some embodiments, a removed section is also used by itself to betterfill an opening, such as a longer or narrower opening or crack. Infurther embodiments, several removed sections are combined to fill alarger opening, such as laying one plug or section against the other forone configuration and reversing one section end-for-end with othersections for another configuration. Multiple plugs are also readilycombinable in whole or in part, such as an entire plug plus section(s)of another used together in an even larger opening.

Due to the sectioning elements (groove, slice, or perforation) a widevariety of shapes are created from single or multiple plugs, by handwithout tools. This enables separating or tearing plug(s) more preciselyand more easily and faster than products currently on the market such asTruPlug (US Patent Application No: 2010/0132,605) that do not havesectioning, and this in turn enables the user to produce a better fitfor a variety of opening shapes and sizes including round or irregularopenings and also for fitting the ends of or breaches in pipes andround-to-oval lines. This sectioning ability also allows for better andeasier insertion than currently available products into the opening tobe blocked, and greater holding power against the liquid or gas orflowable material.

Independent of the sectioning, in some embodiments the smooth to nearlysmooth surface of the plug is modified to be rough or irregular, such asa sharkskin or sandpaper-like surface, achieved by texturizing theinterior of the mold or selecting a coating material that crinkles orpuckers on its own after the plug is demolded or post molding processingsuch as sand/bead blasting or applying a reactive component that reactswith the first coating. In other embodiments a post molding coatingconsisting of a texturizer (such as sand or plastic granules) and abinder (such as polyurethane or vinyl) is applied (by brush or spray ordipping) to provide the desired texture. Also in some embodimentshigher-relief shapes are added, such as embedded cubes or gravel-liketexture, and such additions are molded-in (created by the design of themold cavity) and in other embodiments achieved by adding in separatematerial(s) at the surface while molding or by adding separate materialsinto the base plug material that migrate to the plug outer surfaceduring the molding process and in other embodiments by adhering orembedding the separate material to the outside of the plug after moldingby applying an adhesive coating to the plug and then dusting on orrolling the plug in a bed of the separate material (like sand onsandpaper.) The skilled artisan will also know that there are manydifferent methods for modifying molded surfaces and that the disclosureis not limited to a specific method.

In some embodiments the plug is made of an impermeable (such as solidrubber and closed cell foam) or permeable (such as open cell foam)material. Permeability is defined with respect to the particular use ofthe plug. For example, a particular material may be impermeable toliquids but permeable to gases. In general, an “impermeable” material isa material that cuts down the flow of a fluid (whether gas or liquid,depending on the use) by 95% as compared to when the material is notpresent. Suitable open cell and closed cell foams include Polyurethane(from reaction between a diisocyanate, either aromatic or aliphatictypes, and a polyol, typically a polypropylene glycol or polyesterpolyol, in the presence of catalysts and materials for controlling thecell structure), polyester (by simultaneously cross-linking anunsaturated polyester resin and generating carbon dioxide as a blowingagent), polyether, polyvinyl, polystyrene, Ethafoam, and memory foam(viscoelastic), Suitable solid synthetic rubber and synthetic rubberfoams include polyisoprene, polychloroprene/neoprene,polybutadiene/buna, chloro isobutylene isoprene/butyl, chlorosulphonatedpolyethylene/hypalon, polysiloxane/silicone rubber. Suitable softplastics include plastisol, alumisol, highly plasticized PVC withphthalates. The foregoing are examples of materials for variousembodiments and do not limit the scope of the invention.

When made of a permeable material the sectioning also allows for better(compared to existing products referenced above), faster, and morereliable infiltration of the fluid or gas into the interior of the plug.This is achieved because the sectioning elements penetrate the outersurface of the plug and increases the speed and extent of absorption andpermeation into the interior of the plug. This in turn accelerates theequalization of the internal pressure of the foam to the externalpressure of the fluid or gas and thereby allowing greater and/or fasterexpansion of the plug material itself and producing increased holdingpower and sealing efficiency of the plug inhibiting flow through theopening.

Independent of the sectioning or material, in some embodiments the plugdescribed above also has a surface with a ringed or ridged design. SeeFIG. 2. This comprises multiple ridges most of them being somewhatconcentric. The spacing of these ridges is variable and generally closetogether from approximately 1/16″ to over ¾″ ridge-to-ridge for a plugof approximately 9″ height. For larger plugs the lower spacing limitstays the same and the upper limit scales proportionally to the plugheight.

Independent of size and location of the ridges, in some embodiments theridges are stepped or toothed or barbed depending on the degree ofundercut (below each ridge as the plug stands on its base) or rounded,square, rectangular or polygonal. See FIGS. 3 a and 3 b. The steppedsurface is where the ridge has a vertical to slanted-inward orientation(12:00 to 1:00 in a clock dial or more) or where the angle “B” is equalto or less than the slope of the taper angle “A” and there is noundercut. See FIG. 4. The toothed surface is where the ridge has avertical to slanted-outward orientation (12:00 to 9:00) or where theangle “B” is greater than the angle “A” but less than or equal to Angle“A” plus 90 degrees and there still is no undercut. A barbed surface iswhere the ridge has horizontal orientation or undercut at the bottomedge (9:00 to 7:00) or where angle “B” is greater than angle “A” plus 90degrees.

In some embodiments the ridges are broken or alternated or random aroundthe plug circumference. See FIG. 5. The ridges in some embodiments areplaced in a more random pattern and in other embodiments are narrowedlaterally to become more like individual teeth than ridges.

Independent of the sectioning or material of the plug described above,some embodiments have a surface with a spiked or bumped design. See FIG.6. This comprises a design of many such bumps or spikes in a pattern onthe plug surface to allow each to contact the edge or interior of anopening, depending on the opening's shape and size. The height of thespikes/bumps varies from less than 0.020 (or shark skin like) to over0.375 and diameter of less than 0.010″ to over 0.375″ for a plug ofapproximately 9″ height. For larger plugs the lower measurement limitstays the same and the upper limit scales proportionally to the plugheight. The ends of the spikes or bumps in various embodiments arerounded or pointed or flat.

Independent of shape or surface design, the surface of the above plugscertain embodiments are coated with sticky/high coefficient of frictionmaterial such as soft vinyl. Such material tends to adhere to the edgesor interior surface of the opening to be plugged and thereby providesincreased holding power in the opening, and particularly in an openingwith smooth sides where the sticky plug surface coating adheres such asa pipe. Other embodiments are uncoated meaning that the core of the plugis directly exposed to the fluid/gas/flowable material. This directexposure increases the speed and extent of absorption and permeationinto the interior of the plug. This in turn accelerates equalizing theinternal pressure of the foam to the external pressure of the fluid orgas and thereby allowing greater and/or faster expansion of the plugmaterial itself and producing increased holding power and sealingefficiency of the plug inhibiting flow through the opening.

Independent of plug design and surface and material, in some embodimentsa punt or depression is added to the bottom. See FIG. 7. In variousembodiments this depression is of any shape such as conical, rounded,and a more geometric shape. See FIG. 8. This punt has multiple purposesand provides multiple benefits such as facilitating tearing, making iteasier to handle and insert, and enabling maximum base sizes to plugeffectively. The punt facilitates tearing the plug by hand without toolsby enabling the user to grasp the edges at the base from both sides(i.e. outside surface and inside surface) more firmly and to focus theireffort on a specific groove/channel/cut/perforation in that area andthen continue that tearing along segment lines or otherwise. Theinclusion of a punt also allows the user to firmly grasp the base edgeby allowing simultaneous gripping/pinching of the outside surface andinside surface with one hand (as compared to having to span the entirewidth of the base when there is no punt) which in turn makes it easierto manipulate and control the plug while inserting it or removing itfrom an opening. The punt also allows the base of the plug to be moreeasily compressed or collapsed or folded because compressible materialis absent and the base is somewhat hollow. This in turn facilitatesinserting a larger base of maximum diameter than would otherwise bepossible into an opening or pipe.

Because the material absent from a punt allows the user to make the basesmaller than would otherwise be possible, this type of collapsible oreasily compressible base also facilitates inserting the plug base-firstinto or through a given size opening and thereafter allowing the base toexpand and flare out either within or on the opposite side of an openingfrom where it is inserted. For example this is useful in stopping orslowing the flow coming from the opposite side of an opening, such as ahole in a tank when applied from outside the tank. In some embodimentsthe depth of the punt or depression is shallow, while in otherembodiments the punt or depression is deep. In some embodiments, thepunt or depression comprises a hollow center that extends almost up tothe top or tip of the plug. The punt or depression in these embodimentsis independent of, or is combined with, a flange at the base. See FIG.8.

Independent of plug design, material, and surface, in some embodimentsthe plug comprises a lanyard. See FIG. 9. Though the figure shows thelanyard in the center of the base, in various embodiments it is usefullyinstalled at the edge of the base, on the side, or at the tip of theplug. The purpose of the lanyard is to facilitate storage of the plug ata chosen location and to also ensure that a lanyard is available to tiethe plug in place if necessary when inserted into an opening. Thelanyard is made of any material. In some embodiments, the lanyard ismolded into the plug, while in other embodiments it is inserted with ameans to keep it in place, such as an anchoring barb. The strength ofthe installation in various embodiments is adjusted to facilitatestorage and allow pull-out when the plug is taken for emergency use, ormore securely ensure the lanyard is still attached for securing it inthe opening when used.

Another embodiment of the plug is a round and another embodiment is anelliptical cylinder where the sides are parallel and the top and bottomedge diameters are square and in another embodiment are rounded. SeeFIG. 10. The surface treatment of the plug and the material it is madeof and the segmentation are as described above.

Another embodiment of the plug is with a widened and flattened head thatis compressed or folded, either by hand or with the aid of a tool andinserted into or through an opening. See FIG. 11. The flattened head isrounded with a flat underside (as in sample drawing) in one embodiment,or with a faceted top or an oblate conical top and a flat underside, orwith a flat top and a rounded or faceted or oblate conical underside.The head is compressed or folded when needed and, when inserted into theopening, deploys/expands on the other side of the opening where the flowis coming from or within a lengthier opening such as inside a pipe ofany shape. This gives the head of the plug increased holding powerthrough increased friction in the opening and through an overlap or lockwith the inside edge of the opening, thereby resisting the flowingmaterial and pressure attempting to bypass or expel the plug. In someembodiments the head portion is limited to a narrow height and in otherembodiments is expanded to encompass a majority of the height of theentire plug. The plug is inserted into the opening either base first orhead first. In some embodiments the plug design uses a base identical orsimilar to the head described in this paragraph above. Although thefigure shows a flattened head of a given proportion, the skilled artisanwill know that the plug head can have different dimensions and that thedisclosure is not limited to the single embodiment shown in the figure.

Another embodiment of the plug is with a conical hollow head that iscompressed or folded when needed and inserted into or through anopening. See FIG. 12. This functions similarly to the flattened headembodiment above. In some embodiments the conical head uses apunt/depression in the head, and in other embodiments a hollow centermaking the head conceptually similar to a coffee cup-type or flowerpot-type shape. In some embodiments the head portion is limited to anarrow height and in other embodiments is expanded to encompass amajority if the height of the entire plug. The plug is inserted into theopening either base first or head first. In some embodiments the pluguses a base identical or similar to the head described in this paragraphabove. Although the figure shows a conical hollow head of a givenproportion, the skilled artisan will know that the plug head can havedifferent dimensions and that the disclosure is not limited to thesingle embodiment shown in the figure.

Independent of sectioning elements, configurability, surface geometry,surface coating, different geometries for the base, different geometriesfor the tip or head of the plug, and different sizes, in someembodiments the plug utilizes different materials. Those described inthe U.S. patent application entitled “Emergency Repair Plug To Slow DownWater Inflow Through An Opening” (US Patent Application No:2010/0132,605) are limited to polyether and methylene diphenyldiisocyanate or MDI. Some embodiments of the plug disclosed herein usearomatic isocyanates such as but not limited to toluene diisocyanate(TDI) and other embodiments use aliphatic isocyanates such ashexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI).Separate from the different isocyanates, various embodiments of the plugdisclosed herein use a class of polyethers, such as but not limited tophenyl ether polymers, that contain aromatic cycles in their main chain,one such embodiment using polyphenyl ether (PPE) and another embodimentusing poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO). To create a foam, blowing agentssuch as but not limited to water is used in one embodiment and certainhalocarbons such as HFC-245fa (1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane) in otherembodiments, and hydrocarbons such as n-pentane is incorporated intostill other embodiments. In some embodiments the foam cell structure iscontrolled by addition of surfactants to modify the characteristics ofthe polymer during the foaming process. In other embodiments temperatureof the mold is used to control the foam cell structure. The skilledartisan will also know that the plug can be of considerably differentformulations and that the disclosure is not limited to a specificformulation.

In the embodiments where the plug is made of a compressible materialsuch as foam the density of this foam is controlled to produce thedesired characteristics. Light density is defined to fall in the rangeof 1 to 4 pounds per cubic foot (Lb/CuFt) range, medium density in thegreater than 4 to 12 Lb/CuFt range, and high density in the greater than12 Lb/CuFt range. Compressible material, (such as but not limited tofoams) is defined as that which can be compressed by 10% up to 90% ofits initial volume by hand without tools and semi-compressible material,(such as but not limited to solid or near-solid rubber, is defined asthat which can be compressed by less than 10% of its initial volume byhand without tools. The skilled artisan will also know that the plug canbe of considerably different densities and compressibilities and thatthe disclosure is not limited to a specific density or compressibility.

We claim:
 1. A compressible plug to stop or slow the flow of a fluid orgas or flowable material either inward or outward through an openingcomprising: a) a body made from a made of an easily compressible orsemi-compressible material capable of being reduced in cross-sectionalsize by squeezing or twisting by hand and that tends to return towardits original size; b) said body having a flat planar base of awell-defined geometrical shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, atriangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, and the like; c) said bodyhaving sides extending upwardly from said base forming a tapered bodywith an outer surface; d) said surface of the plug being rough orirregular geometry, such as a pebbled, sharkskin or sandpaper-likesurface.
 2. A compressible plug as in claim 1, wherein said body issegmented longitudinally (parallel to the central axis) into two toeight sections or more (in some ways similar to an orange or a banana.)a) said segmentation is achieved by sectioning elements includinggrooves or channels (molded into the plug as it is created), slices(either continuous or in a broken series, cut in after molding), or aseries of perforations (molded in or cut in) b) said sectioning elementscreate intentional weak points in the plug material that facilitateseparation and tearing by hand along selected dimensions
 3. Acompressible plug as in claim 1, wherein said surface geometry iscomprised of multiple concentric ridges that are barbed due to thedegree of undercut.
 4. A compressible plug as in claim 1, wherein saidsurface geometry is broken, alternated ridges that are narrowedlaterally to become more like individual teeth.
 5. A compressible plugas in claim 1, wherein said surface geometry comprises a design of manybumps or spikes in a pattern on the plug surface to allow each tocontact the edge or interior of an opening.
 6. A compressible plug as inclaim 1, wherein said body is made of a permeable material that allowsfor better, faster, and more reliable infiltration of the fluid or gasinto the interior of the plug.